Emmanuelle Chriqui. Nickname is “M.” New movie’s “A Short History of Decay.”

“It’s about the heartbreak of a parent’s Alzheimer’s. I lost my mom at 16. Only my father saw a part of any good things that happened to me. My own early days’ memories give me the courage when things get tough. I’ve learned to be grateful. A career in this business can be so tough.

“I’m still discovering how to be big while absolutely staying true to myself. I believe to be famous I must do it in ways that don’t compromise me. I’ve seen what young starlets do to make it. If you’re grounded and go steady, it’s a slower, harder journey and you can sacrifice the fast road to fame.

“I grew up in the theater. Early on in a local theatrical group, at age 7, I played the baby ghost. I knew I must be an actress. I feel it makes me alive. If I could no longer act, it would be like taking my breath away. Still, I take the slow road — not like some young actresses who go naked on magazine covers. Talents I respect don’t do that.

“I’d have more followers and a bigger career if I followed that go-nude path. There’s lots of that. It’s a fine line. Great to celebrate sensuality, but not wise to be defined by that. Maybe . . . who knows . . . maybe I’ll think differently 15 years from now.”

Emmanuelle once did a film with Michael Douglas’ son Cameron, whose troubled life has landed him in prison. What was he like when she worked with him?

“We were kids. I’ve heard of all his hardships, but I have nothing negative to say. He was sweet. Generous. Wonderful.”

Her movie debuts Friday.

Fancy gala full of juicy stories

London’s new QVC studio is unthrilling Yanks who fly over to hustle their jewelry, furs and tweezers. The joint, bigger than Balmoral, is an hour and a half outside the city. Since sheep country has no shows, restaurants, friends, shops or C-level royalty — soon they’ll have no purveyors from the Colonies.

More from the Mother Country. Prince William just hosted a gala. Invited was Kate Moss. One involved recalls a memory of this famous Brit export’s wasted days. A known London cafe. With a female friend. Winter. Three years ago. She’s in strapless. Handlers helped steer her. Exiting, she says about her new marriage: “I’m so over him.” Reaching for support, missing the table, she accidentally grabs onto a gentleman’s parts. He says: “It was like a handshake.”

It gets hairy

In lush plush days, Kenneth Battelle was NYC’s No. 1 hairdresser. His salon Kenneth’s did Jackie O’s head after she was first lady and Gloria Vanderbilt’s before her Anderson Cooper mother fame. Passing away last year, he left about $9 mil. Kenneth’s five sisters fighting over his will wield knives sharper than his scissors. It’s the War of the Ringlets.

Picky talk

Rumer Willis is doing talk shows. But wranglers warn: Don’t ask about Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore, or love life. So if you nail her for an interview, bone up on questions about weather . . . Per Travelocity, NYC is the No. 1 destination third year in a row . . . Borderline Films’ newie “James White,” with Cynthia Nixon, may still need cash, having just reached the finish line. Just informing you in case you have a few extra bucks.

Holy meeting

His Holiness Pope Francis and the Greek Orthodox Church’s Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew are meeting May 25 for the first time in Jerusalem. It’s the 50th anniversary of the visit of Pope Paul V1 and Patriarch Athenagoras to the Holy City. And this month’s prime organizer? A friend of us all, our own Father Alex of New York’s Greek Orthodox Church.

About a rock ’n’ roller: “Last week he tried to donate blood. But the Red Cross turned him down. They found pearl onions and a tiny umbrella in one vein.”